Chapter 2 contends that Marcion's text of Paul's letters was shaped by Marcion's Antitheses and the so-called “Marcionite prologues” (argumenta). These paratexts introduced the principles by which ...
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Chapter 2 contends that Marcion's text of Paul's letters was shaped by Marcion's Antitheses and the so-called “Marcionite prologues” (argumenta). These paratexts introduced the principles by which Marcion edited the text, thereby offering justification for “correcting” the text in accordance with his hermeneutic and introducing interpretations of the text under Marcionite rubrics. As an isagogic work, the Antitheses served to guide readers to a Marcionite interpretation of the text. Particularly important is the investigation of the impact of Marcion's Antitheses and argumenta on the reception of his text: Marcion's paratexts were so influential in shaping readers' perceptions of Marcion's text that his opponents consistently indicted him for corrupting the “authentic” text, even for textual readings he did not create, but merely transmitted.Less

Marcionite Paratexts, Pretexts, and Edition of the Corpus Paulinum

Eric W. Scherbenske

Published in print: 2013-01-17

Chapter 2 contends that Marcion's text of Paul's letters was shaped by Marcion's Antitheses and the so-called “Marcionite prologues” (argumenta). These paratexts introduced the principles by which Marcion edited the text, thereby offering justification for “correcting” the text in accordance with his hermeneutic and introducing interpretations of the text under Marcionite rubrics. As an isagogic work, the Antitheses served to guide readers to a Marcionite interpretation of the text. Particularly important is the investigation of the impact of Marcion's Antitheses and argumenta on the reception of his text: Marcion's paratexts were so influential in shaping readers' perceptions of Marcion's text that his opponents consistently indicted him for corrupting the “authentic” text, even for textual readings he did not create, but merely transmitted.